Clock.



H. G. EHRICK.

OLOGKJ Arrmommn 111.111) In 27, 1910.

Patented Jan. 31,1911.

2 BREEZE-EH33! 1.

ve ntor Witnesses .I Attorneys H c. EHRIGK.

GLOOK.

APPLICATION TILED KAY 27, 1910.

Patented Jan.31, 1911.

2 BHBETBSHBET 2.

Attorneys 'rnr NORRIS PITIRS co. Wxsumorou. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 31, 1911.

Application filed May 27, 1910. Serial No. 563,765.

a clock wl1ichmay be controlled from a master clock so that there may be installed numerous clocks at separated points all un-' der the control of a master clock. I

In accordance with the present invention each individual'clock is provided with dials containing :minute indications, tens of minutes and hour indications'respectivelywhile electromagnetic means are. provided for the actuation of the dial containing the minuteindications and this dial causes the actuation of the other dials in order.,. The master clock is provided. with; agcontactwhieh may" be caused by the second hand at minute intervals to energize theelectro-magnetio actuating means and the local, clocks. I

The invention will-be .hest understood from a consideration'bf the following detail descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which drawings Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the system. Fig. 2 is-a front to rear section showing one of the local clocks. Fig. 3 is a face view of one of the local clocks with parts broken away and other parts shown in dotted lines.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a master clock 1 which may be of ordinary type and requires no special description. This master clock is shown as provided with a second hand 2 in the path of which is a contact 3 so arranged that at minute intervals the second hand will close a circuit at the contact 3 saidcontact bein connected to a conductor 1 while the secon hand is connected to a conductor 5 leading to a battery 6 or other suitable source of electric energy. The conductor 4: and battery 6 are connected respectively to conductors 78 leading to local clocks 9 best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Each local clock comprises a; suitable casing within which are mounted three disks 10, 11, 12 respectively, each disk being mounted on an arbor 13 extending through the back of the casing where the arbor earries a manipulating button 14; by which the disk may be turned at will.

The disk 10 is provided with a peripheral series of ratchet teeth 15 anda single pin 16 near the periphery and projecting laterally from the disk. The disk 11 is provided with a peripheral series of equally spaced pins 17 engageable one at a time by the pin 16 of the disk 10. The pins 17, with the exception of two diametrically opposite pins designated by 17, are spaced away from the plane of the corresponding face of the disk 11 so thatthese two pins will engage pins 18 projecting from the disk 12, while the other pins. 17 willmiss thepins 18.

Mounted within each local clock 9 is a pair of solenoids 19, these solenoids being connected together in spaced relation at one end by a cross bar 20 and atthe said end each solenoid is provided with 'aninset pole piece 21 in the form of a fixed core. Entering. each solenoid from: the other end is a movable core 22 terminating at the outer end in a head 23 and the two heads 23 are connected together. inspaced relation by a cross piece 21. Secured centrally to the cross piece 2 1 is a rod 25 extending between the solenoids 19 and ultimately through the cross piece 20.where it maybe provided with a head or nut 26. The .bar 25 may also extend throughthe cross piece 24 and be there threaded to receive a thumb nut 27 by means of which the relative position of the cross piece 24.- on the rod 25 may be determined. Between the cross pieces 20 and 2 1 the rod 25 is surrounded by a spring 28 tending at all times to force the cores 22 outward from the solenoids 19, but the extent of this movement is limited by the nut 27 on the rod 25. The nut 27 may also be employed to secure to the cross piece 24 two divergent spring fingers 2930 each terminating at the free end in a tooth 31 adapted toengage the teeth 15 of the disk 10, the fingers 29 and 30 being in embracing relation to said disk. 1 On the disk 10 there is produced a circular series of numbers ranging from 1 to 9 and including a Zero. These numbers are visible one at a time through an opening 32 in the visible face of the casing of the clock 9. The disk 11 has produced thereon a circular series of numbers including the numbers 1 to 5 and zero occurring twice upon i of two teeth.

22 is that shown in Fig. 2 where they are forced outward to the limit of their travel in that direction by the spring 28.

Now assuming that the master clock '1 is running, at the expiration of each minute of elapsed time the second hand 2 makes contact with the terminal 3 and there is thereby established a circuit from, the battery 6 through the conductor 5 to the hand 2 thence to the contact 3, thenby the conductor etto all the conductors. 7 connected-thereto, these conductors leading each to one side ofthe 'solenoi'ds'll) in each clock 9], The,retiirn circuit'isby wayof all the condiict-ors 8 to the other side of the battery 6." All the solenoids are thereby energized simultaneously, The en'ergi'zation' of the solenoids causes "an inmoving of the cores, 22, this being augmented by the"p'ole pieces 21 and, considering a single clock, the finger 29 engaging the teeth 15 of the disk 10 will cause a rotativ'enioveextent of movement of the "cores 22 on the energization of the solenoids. ['This move-- ment is usually a distance equal to the length hen the second hand 2 passes from engagement withthe, contact 3 the circuit is broken and all the'solenoids are thereby de'e'nergized, the spring 28 formerly compressed by the activeimove'ment of the cores 22 now reacts to force the cores 22 outwardly and then the finger 30 which rode idly over the teeth 15 on the active movement of the solenoid cores now engages the teeth 15 and causes a rotative movement of the disk 10 in the same direction as be fore, the finger 29 riding idly over the teeth 15'. This movement is the same in extent as the movement of the finger 29 thoughin the opposite direction, and the disk 10 is rotated for a distance equal to the length of two teeth 15. The total rotative movement of the disk 10 is therefore equal to the lengthof four teeth and the numbers on the disk are spaced accordingly so that on the full action of the solenoids the rotative movement of the disk 10 is suificient to carry a number formerh visible at the opening 32 out of sight and bring the next number in order in sight at the opening 32.

In the particular example shown in the drawings it is assumed that the master clock indicates the time as one oclock and nineteen minutes and the disk 10 will then exhibit the numeral 9 at the opening 32, the disk 11 will exhibit the immoral 1 at the opening 33 and the disk 12 will exhibit the numeral 1 at the opening 34. Now let it be further assumed that the master clock 1 has operated until another minute has elapsed, when the circuit is again completed at the contact 3 and the solenoids 19 are energized as before, and are then released. The disk 10 is now turned sufficient to bring the next numeral in order opposite the opening 32,

this numeral being the indication zero in the example assumed. But the pin 6 has in the meantime engaged one of the pins 1'7 of the disk 11 and the movement of the disk '10 has caused a like movement of the disk 11 sutficient to carry the numeral 1 away fOu'tof-sight'at the opening 33 and bring the next numeral, which is the numeral 2, into "sight at this opening, so that one reading the clock 9 will see displayed in the openings 34,? 33 and 32 respectively, the numbers "1f-2 O," indicating that the time is one oicl'ock and twenty minutes. This movement 'continue's ;in"" )rder until ultimately the time "reached is one oclock and fifty-nine minutes, 'when the next actuation will cause the display of zeros at the openings 32 and 33 while *a-pi1i17 will engage the pin 18 of the disk 12 and" the latter will be turned sufiicientlv to carryaway the numeral 1 from the opening 34 and bring the numeral 2 into sight.

hat is claimed is:

In a time indicating system, a local clock having a series of revoluble time indicating dials, coiiperating means for transmitting motion from one dial to another, one of said dials having a toothed periphery, parallel solenoids, a cross member constituting a rigid connection between the cores of the solenoids, a guide rod secured to said cross 'member, a spring mounted thereon for hold- 'mg the cross member normally removed from the solenoids, and a spring strip having its middle portion engaging the guide rod and held upon the cross member, the terminals of said strip being bowed in opposite directions and constituting spring pawls engaging the periphery of the toothed dial, and means for energizing the solenoids.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY C. EHRICK.

Witnesses:

F. M. FISHER, O. C. HERTZER. 

